GreenwoodAcademies Trust

OFSTED 2018 - 2019

Skegby Junior Academy

Following an Ofsted visit and inspection at Skegby Junior Academy on the 30th of January 2019, pupils and staff are delighted to see the academy be rated as Good.

Ofsted has praised the leadership team for creating a “calm haven where everyone feels valued” and high expectations are set for what children can achieve, while the academy staff have been commended for their hard work, particularly their dedication to encouraging “pupils’ love and enjoyment of reading”, and the positive culture towards learning.

Pupils’ enthusiasm for learning was also highlighted, with the report commending the Academy for providing interesting activities that “ignite their passion for learning” including the forest school and special curriculum days. Additional learning initiatives, like the ‘Big Read’, were also praised with the report stating that “as a result, pupils’ progress in reading has improved substantially”.

Ofsted that parents were similarly supportive of the school, with one noting that: “They have turned the school around – the Head is fantastic!”

Pauline Marples, Principal of Skegby Junior Academy, said:

“I am delighted that the fantastic efforts of our wonderful pupils and staff have been recognised by Ofsted. Our Academy takes great pride in providing our pupils with an enriching and engaging learning experience. I am thrilled to see this reflected in the report.”

“As a Trust, we hold ourselves to high standards, and the team at Skegby Junior Academy, led by Pauline Marples, is a testament to what can be achieved through a shared dedication, and passion, for high-quality education.

The team at Skegby Junior Academy have instilled in pupils an excitement for learning, and I am so pleased to see the hard work of the staff, pupils, parents, and the Trust rewarded in this Ofsted report.”

Sunnyside Primary Academy start the new academic year with a glowing Ofsted report that recognises the Academy as a "Good" school. Being described as a “caring school, with a family feel that enables each pupil to be known and valued”.

The Principal, Nicola Sayers, and her team at the primary academy received praise for their strong and effective approach to leadership of the academy, with Ofsted noting that they have a “relentless focus on improving the quality of teaching. She said: “I am so pleased that the efforts of every colleague at the academy have been recognised once again by Ofsted. Staff, parents and of course our wonderful pupils, along with our colleagues at Greenwood Academies Trust have all contributed to this excellent result. I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in this success. We look forward to continuing our journey of ongoing improvement.”

Woodvale Primary Academy, located in Northampton, has been praised by Ofsted for providing a highly creative and inspiring environment for its pupils in its latest inspection, which rated the school ‘Good’.

Following the academy’s first ever inspection in 2014, where it was commended for its “high expectations”, the academy has again received recognition from Ofsted for its dedication and hard work to create an environment which allows for every pupil to thrive.

Principal David Ribbins, alongside his leadership team, were complimented for “developing strong links” with both the academy’s sponsor, Greenwood Academies Trust, and its wider community.

Inspectors also praised the academy’s attention to pupil wellbeing and welfare. Pupils state that they “feel happy at school” and enjoy the external trips and inventive lessons planned by staff, such as the Year 6 classrooms being set up as air-raid shelters to match those used in the Second World War.

The leadership team at Woodvale Primary Academy were also commended for their effective guidance, and for the support they provide to staff which allows them to make good progress in their careers, something both the academy and Greenwood Academies Trust pride themselves on.

Wayne Norrie, CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust, said:

“We are thrilled for Mr Ribbins and his team at Woodvale Primary Academy. The Ofsted report clearly recognises the academy’s commitment to provide pupils with the best possible education in an environment that helps them to thrive.

The Trust looks forward to seeing what’s next for the academy, and we will continue to support them in every way that we can as they press ahead with their journey to become an Outstanding academy.”

Skegness Infant Academy received an Ofsted rating that continues to maintain its status as a Good Academy. The Principal, Rona Pryme and her leadership team were appraised for providing a “good quality of education in the school”. Skegness Infant Academy’s governing body and sponsor, Greenwood Academies Trust, were recognised for playing a role in the outcome of this inspection courtesy of the robust safeguarding audits and continuous support for the Academy.

Inspectors noted that pupils “work hard and concentrate in lesson” and this standard of behaviour is set as soon as pupils enter Nursery at the Academy, where they “are expected to behave well and do their best.”

Mrs Pryme, Principal of Skegness Infant Academy, said:

“I am thrilled with the latest Ofsted result. We have worked incredibly hard to maintain our Good rating and the efforts of every team member at the Academy has been recognised.

I would like to thank every pupil, parent and team member at the Academy who has contributed to this success.”

Wayne Norrie, CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust, said:

“I am elated for Mrs Pryme and her team at Skegness Infant Academy. This is a fantastic result with telling comments from Ofsted which clearly demonstrate Mrs Pryme’s strong leadership and dedicated team.

“The academy is well on its way to further improve and the Trust will be here to support them every step of the journey.”

Green Oaks Primary Academy, located in Northampton, has been rated good following its recent Ofsted inspection.

Principal Wendy Gordon and her team were noted by Ofsted as “transforming” the academy, where inspectors praised the team’s efforts in raising the quality of teaching, staff morale and the standard of pupils’ behaviour. Inspectors also stated that the school’s vision ‘Together, we aim to be the very best we can be’ is “echoed through all aspects of its work.”

Parents and staff have been reported to be “unanimous in their view” that the academy has rapidly improved and the leadership team have “overwhelming support” from the local community.

The Academy’s sponsor, Greenwood Academies Trust, was also commended for its role in supporting Principal Gordon and the wider academy team. Ofsted noted that the Trust has been a “catalyst” for this improvement alongside Principal Gordon who joined the academy in January 2017.

Ofsted also praised the academy for its approach to pupils’ personal development, an aim which mirrors that of its sponsor; Greenwood Academies Trust. Pupils were noted to have a good understanding of the importance of equality, the dangers of stereotyping and demonstrated high levels of empathy.

Wayne Norrie, CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust, said:

“I am incredibly proud of the team at Green Oaks Primary Academy. Their hard work and dedication is clearly reflected throughout this entire report. Ofsted highlighted many positive things, but I am particularly proud of the academy’s encouragement of character development, something that pupils will carry and continue to build on.

“Mrs Gordon and her team have strived to achieve great things, in which they have done so, but I believe they have much more they wish to achieve. We look forward to the next exciting part of their journey, and we as a Trust, we will be there to support them.”